Navigational light system

ABSTRACT

A flashing light timer for a navigational light having provision to send, receive and utilize a synchronizing signal in which a plurality of lights have their timers connected together so as to flash simultaneously, but will still operate in the event any one of the navigational lights fail. A coded timer for controlling the flashing code of a navigational light having a plurality of time constant circuits connected to a counter for readily changing the flashing code of a light. A navigational light having a logical circuit for sensing a burned out lamp without requiring a resistive element. A lamp changing circuit that allows the new lamp to be placed accurately into operative position. And a circuit for switching off power from the navigational light during the lamp changing process for preventing sparking of the electrical contacts.



1. A navigational light system comprising, a plurality of navigational lights each including a selfactuated and externally actuated flashing timer, a daylight control circuit, a lamp-out sensing circuit, and a lamp changing circuit, each timer including a synchronizing terminal for actuating the timer, the output from each flashing timer of each navigational light connected to the synchronizing terminal of the flashing timer of each light for simultaneously actuating all of the flashing timers when one of the timers is first actuated thereby synchronizing all of the navigational lights but insuring that in the event one of the navigational lights fails that the remainder will operate.
 2. A navigational light system comprising, a plurality of navigational lights each including a self-actuated and externally actuated flashing timer, a daylight control circuit, a lamp-out sensing circuit, and a lamp changing circuit, each Timer including a synchronizing terminal for actuating the timer, each timer including a plurality of time constant circuits, a counter having a plurality of sequential actuated outputs, and means for providing connections between the outputs and said time constant circuits for controlling the actuation of the timer for providing the desired flashing code, the output from each timer of each navigational light connected to the synchronizing terminal of the timer of each light for simultaneously actuating all of the timers when one of the timers is first actuated thereby synchronizing all of the navigational lights but insuring that in the event one of the navigational lights fails that the remainder will operate.
 3. A navigational light system comprising, a plurality of navigational lights each including a self-actuated and externally actuated flashing timer, a daylight control circuit, a lamp-out sensing circuit, and a lamp changing circuit, each timer including a synchronizing terminal for actuating the timer, each timer including a plurality of different time constant circuits, a clock actuated counter having a plurality of sequential equally timed outputs, the outputs of the counter being one-way coupled to said time constant circuits for controlling the actuation of the timer for providing the desired flashing code, the output from each timer of each navigational light connected to the synchronizing terminal of the timer of each light and to the counter for resetting each counter and synchronizing all of the navigational lights.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each light includes, switching means for actuating the lamp changing circuit, a first electrical connection between the timer output and the switching means for supplying a signal to the switching means from the timer preventing actuation of the lamp changing circuit during the timing signal, a second electrical connection through the lamp filament to a power supply for supplying a signal to the switching means even when the lamp is not powered by the timing signal preventing actuation of the switching means but allowing actuation when the filament is out.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein each lamp changing circuit includes a rotating turret with lamps therein and a power brush which supplies power to contacts connected to the lamps, and said switching means is connected to the timer signal and disconnects the timer signal from the lamp when actuated thereby disconnecting power from the brush while the lamp changing circuit is rotating the turret for preventing electrical arcing between the brush and the contacts.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the turret is driven by a motor through a one-way clutch to place one of the lamps in an operative position in which electrical contacts connected to the lamps in the turret include a recess and power is supplied to the recesses as the turret is rotated through a spring brush, and means connected to the motor for indexing the turret when the lamp in the operative position is burned out to place a new lamp in the operative position, and means for providing a reversing pulse to the motor at the end of the indexing movement thereby allowing the spring brush to seek the center of the recess and accurately align the turret and new operative lamp. 